A commemorative postage stamp on the birth anniversary of José Martí, apostle of Cuban Independence and an important figure of Latin American literature (Modernismo) :

Issued by India

Issued on Jan 28, 1997

Issued for : The Department of Post is happy to issue a stamp in honour of this international Cuban hero.

Credits : Attache ‘LAC’ Ministry of External Affairs.

Type : First Day Cover

Colour : Two Colour

Denomination : 1100 Paise

Overall size : 3.91 x 2.90 Cms.

Printing size : 3.55 x 2.54 Cms.

Perforation : 13 x 13

Paper : Imported un w/m Adhesive Gravure Coated Stamp Paper in Sheets 50.8 x 53.5 cms.

Stamps Printed : 0.7 Million

Number per issue sheet : 35

Printing Process : Photogravure

Printer : India Security Press, Nasik

Name : José Julián Martí Pérez

Born on Jan 28, 1853 at Havana, Captaincy General of Cuba

Died on May 19, 1895 at near the confluence of the rivers Contramaestre and Cauto, Cuba

About : 

• Jose Marti was born in a modest home in Cuba on January 28, 1853. He dedicated his life to the cause of liberation of Cuba from the domination of the Spanish Empire. He began to write at a very early age and his revolutionary ideas moulded the thoughts of generations of his people. Fidel Castro aptly called him the intellectual author of the Cuban Revolution.
• At the tender age of 17 he was imprisoned in very difficult conditions and wrote “The Political Prisoner in Cuba”, a very thought provoking condemnation of colonisers.
• In 1892 he founded the Cuban Revolutionary Party with the avowed objective, “to attain absolute independence of the Isle of Cuba and to foster and help the independence of Puerto Rico.” The same year he brought out the newspaper ‘Patria’.
• On the eve of his historic death Jose Marti expressed to his friend Manuel Mercado that independence was the driving force in his life. He has promoted through his multiple works a number of economic measures that range from redistribution of land to installation of an economic regime based upon small land holdings. He fought to eradicate all discrimination based on the colour, creed, region etc.
• Perhaps, the most poignant tribute to Jose Marti comes from the pen of Nicolas Gullien:–No, think not that his voice is a whisper
  Or his hands like mere shadows
  Or that his look is like a shivering dewdrop
  on a rose petal.
  His voice and hands
  Have the power to crush rock and iron.
  His burning eyes can penetrate the darkest woods.
  Touch him – you will feel the burning fire.
  Take his hand – you will realise
  That all of Cuba fits in it
  Like a bird taking shelter from the storm.
  Look at his eyes – and you will be blinded by their fire.
  But follow his eyes in the dark of night,
  For his brilliance will light the way.

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